In its next package of sanctions the European Union plans to focus on exports of Russian gold and prevent attempts of circumvention of EU sanctions, as reported on Friday, 15 April, by Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission.
The European Union has so far imposed six packages of sanctions against Russia. The last package, imposed in June, banned the majority of imports of Russian oil.
Šefčovič reported that now the EU considers imposing sanctions on Russian gold, which is a major part of the country’s exports.
«As soon as we reach an agreement at the level of member states, we will publish it,» Šefčovič told journalists at a meeting of EU affairs ministers in Prague.
This June G7 member states agreed to ban imports of Russian gold.
Ukraine’s vice-prime minister Olha Stefanishyna, who is a participant of the meeting in Prague, invited the EU to adopt a new package of anti-Russian sanctions.
«Nothing makes Russia so far feel accountable for [its] crimes,» she told journalists.
«We hope the next, seventh package of sanctions will have a strong restrictive potential and will be taken without further delay and as soon as possible,» the Ukrainian official added.
Šefčovič said the EU will also try to limit ways to circumvent the imposed sanctions.
«It is of course a very complex mechanism, so we need to not only set up, but also check, monitor and close the places that would create platforms for an exit in some way,» said Šefčovičs.
He also said it is untrue that EU member states are getting tired of supporting Ukraine.
«I have never seen so strongly demonstrated unity and effort from all member states to look for all possible reserves, whether we talk about financial aid or arms supplies,» he added.
«Even though it’s really difficult, we will continue because it’s the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom who are in the most difficult situation,» the deputy head of the European Commission concluded.
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